Springfield Standard

Earlier this week, U.S. Representative Eric Burlison (R-MO-07) introduced the Federal Improvement in Technology (FIT) Procurement Act to simplify federal procurement and facilitate the acquisition of cutting-edge technologies by agencies. A key provision of the bill, raising the Micro-Purchase Threshold to $25,000, is projected to save over $30 million annually.

Today, the FIT Procurement Act passed the Oversight Committee by a bipartisan vote of 39-0. The bill aims to reduce administrative costs, provide advanced training for the federal acquisition workforce, and increase opportunities for small businesses to compete for government contracts.

Rep. Burlison emphasized the importance of modernizing federal procurement to keep pace with today’s rapidly evolving technology landscape.

“The FIT Procurement Act will not only help federal agencies secure the best technology, but it will also save taxpayer dollars and reduce waste,” said Rep. Eric Burlison. “We’re ensuring that small businesses and innovators have a real chance to compete in the federal marketplace.”

The bill includes several key reforms aimed at improving efficiency in federal acquisitions:

- Raising the simplified acquisition threshold from $250,000 to $500,000 and the Micro-Purchase Threshold from $10,000 to $25,000 to ease administrative burdens and promote commercial-like purchasing practices.

- Requiring cross-functional training to ensure that procurement officers are equipped to handle information and communications technology (ICT) purchases.

- Authorizing advanced payments for cloud computing services to allow federal agencies to access cost-saving opportunities.

Burlison emphasized that these reforms are critical for economic efficiency.

“By making it easier for small businesses and tech innovators to compete for federal contracts, we’re ensuring that the government has access to the latest technologies while also fostering economic growth,” added Rep. Burlison. “This is a win-win for the American people.”

The FIT Procurement Act has already gained bipartisan support, with a companion bill introduced in the Senate by Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Gary Peters (D-MI).